February 1, 2015

U.S. Closer to a Theocracy

Evangelical candidates are circling the wagons, readying themselves for presidential candidates against attacking infidels. One prime fundamentalist Christian in this position, Mike Huckabee, has declared that no school shootings would occur if public schools provided Bible readings, daily prayers, religious assemblies, and “chapel services.” In the good old days—according to Huckabee—people brought Bibles to school, not guns “except for the deer hunters who left them in their trucks.” His big-government solution would use legislation to force religion on public school children in flagrant violation of the First Amendment.

Huckabee is missing a few facts. Gun violence in school occurred before the Supreme Court ruling on neutrality toward religion. Bibles aren’t prohibited in public schools. And the presence of Bibles doesn’t stop wrongdoing in hotel rooms, and people still steal money although it’s all been printed with “In God We Trust” since the 1950s.

If he were elected president, Huckabee said if he were elected president that he would have “God’s blessing” to fight the “secular theocracy” imposed by atheists. According to Huckabee, the United States needs to become a “God-centered nation that understands that our laws do not come from man, they come from God.”

Other wishful presidential candidates are trying to force their religious beliefs on U.S. citizens. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s rally last weekend hosted, among others, the Christian Dominionists who believe that every part of everyone’s life, from politics to wearing apparel, should be directed by their religion. George W. Bush’s administration funneled billions to their cause and employed a large number of Dominionist believers. At the rally, Dominionist Gene Mills said, claimed that the rally was a vital part of the effort “to reclaim territory that rightfully belongs to God [because] these seven spheres of influence are under enemy occupation right now.”

Jindall wrote to 100,000 pastors stating that the event was to train “the men and women of Issachar.”

“There is a great need for the kind of leaders we read about in the Old Testament, ‘The Men of Issachar’ (1 Chronicles 12:32). We need such men and women of wisdom today who will accept the challenge to restore our Judeo-Christian heritage in America.”

Christian control is already in effect in the United States. The U.S. Army, funding for by U.S. taxpayers, is recruiting soldiers in Phoenix (AZ) in the name of a Christian god using graphics of shoulder tabs from the U.S. Special Forces: Green Berets, Rangers, Delta Force, Airborne, etc. Using the phrase “On a Mission for Both God and Country,” it follows other religious positions of the armed services such as the threat of “lockdown” if service members didn’t attend “Christian Rock” concerts, Trijicon riflescopes inscribed with New Testament Bible references, and the mandatory “Jesus Loves Nukes” indoctrination course to train USAD nuclear missile launch officers.

The mayor and city council of Winfield (AL) have declared that God the “owner” of their city by calling it a “City under God.” Their rationale is that they are no different from the coins that state “In God We Trust.” Mayor Randy Price said that the nation is an “awful condition” and that Winfield residents might become more religious if God owns the city.

Price justified their decision in a secret meeting by claiming that “our forefathers said ‘One Nation under God.’ ” These forefathers were Congressional members who added “One Nation under God” in 1954 to the Pledge of Allegiance—written by a Socialist in the 1890s. The Winfield ownership resolution:

“Whereas we acknowledge God is the owner of the City of Winfield and that it is a City under God. We acknowledge that at all times, He is in control.

“Whereas, we acknowledge that through His leadership, the Mayor and City Council will seek his wisdom and knowledge to be good stewards of the city.

“Whereas, we acknowledge that though prayer, with His guidance and presence, that we will be able to trust that no problem will be too large or too small to overcome.

“Whereas, we acknowledge that the City of Winfield is where it is today because of God’s grace and mercy.

“Whereas, we acknowledge that at all times and in all circumstances, His will shall be done.

“Whereas, we acknowledge that to God be the glory.”

No one knows if the mayor and city council consulted God about his owning the town, but at least one Winfield resident said he was sending a complaint to the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF). Price admitted that he might “step on a lot of people’s toes,” but he believes that “there’s not but one God.”

Other governments are trying to establish theocracies. Oklahoma legislators have introduced a bill limiting marriage to only Christians and Jews—and only married by priests, ministers, rabbis, or ecclesiastical dignitaries. State Rep. Todd Russ said that the bill protects court clerks and other officials from being forced to participate in same-sex marriages. Todd said, “[People other than Christians and Jews] don’t have a spiritual basis for a marriage and don’t want to have a clergy member or a priest or someone involved in the spiritual aspect, then they can file an affidavit of common-law marriage.” Oklahoma law doesn’t recognize common-law marriages.

Three Mississippi legislators, including one Democrat, have introduced bills to make the Bible “the state book.” State Rep. Tom Miles (D) said, “The Bible provides a good role model on how to treat people. They could read in there about love and compassion.” Bills’ supporters claim that they aren’t trying to force religion on the rest of the state.

Missouri lawmaker Elijah Haahr (R) has devised a way for universities to get federal funding even if they ban LGBT organizations: just ban all LGBT people from belonging to groups based on the members’ religious beliefs.

“No Gays Allowed.” Virginia’s lawmaker Bob Marshall wants any provider of service in the state to have the right to post such a sign. Marshall has wanted to exclude LGBT people from the state National Guard and block a gay judge’s appointment because, according to Marshall, “sodomy is not a civil right.” Michigan and Mississippi have passed “Religious Freedom Restoration Acts” that allow denial of service to anyone—pregnant women, people of another religion, etc. instead of just LGBT people. Over a dozen other states are moving in this direction in the 24 states controlled by both GOP legislators and governors.

Twenty-six percent of people in the United States—80 million people!—think that the God-favored team will win the Super Bowl. Twenty-seven percent of the nation’s sports fans have that belief, and another 53 percent of respondents to the survey think that God rewards faithful athletes with good health and success. Thirty-three percent of football fans pray for their team’s win, 31 percent think that God has cursed their team, and 25 percent perform pre-game or game-time rituals.

Proof to some of these believers is that quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the losing Green Bay Packers said, “I don’t think God cares a whole lot about the outcome (of football games). He cares about the people involved, but I don’t think he’s a big football fan.” The winning Seattle Seahawks went to the Super Bowl. Russell Wilson, Seahawks quarterback, gave God full credit for the win. Devout Christian Tim Tebow wasn’t as lucky. The Patriots went to this year’s Super Bowl after they fired Tebow.

Maybe the religious faith in “the church of the NFL” is the reason that it doesn’t have to pay taxes—just like other churches. Would that happen to the people of the United States if it turns into a theocracy?